In Melinda’s career as a prosecuting attorney, alcohol felt like a necessary way of life. From college on, every professional event centered around alcohol. As time passed, Melinda felt helpless - it felt like it would be career suicide if she stopped drinking.  Melinda’s drinking tipped from social to personal when she left her husband, and it accelerated to an alarming degree after her father’s unexpected death. Eventually, Melinda found herself in a dangerous spiral of hiding her drinking from her new partner, her family, and her friends, until she realized she needed help.  But help was hard to come by. Due to her public profile, the local treatment center sought to treat her secretly, away from the rest of the patients. It confirmed her worst fear - that her career was in jeopardy if she chose sobriety. Eventually, her drinking led to a break up, and she realized - she couldn’t quit just for her partner. She had to quit for herself. So, one day she decided to commit, and she hasn’t touched a drink since!  Melinda is now 2 years sober and she has completely changed her life. She patched up her relationship, changed careers, and developed a healthy routine that has radically shifted her mental and physical health. She also started her own podcast! Check out Women’s Work: A Sober Perspective for professional women who want to stop drinking.  Melinda wants you to know: There’s no shame in saving your own life!  Join us in the The Sober Mom Life Cafe! For just $25/month, you get access to 8 weekly peer support meetings, the exclusive Cafe social feed (like Facebook, but better!), our monthly book club, the monthly Q+A, the ability to join the retreat, and the chance to share your story on The Real Sober Moms, and merch discounts! For a limited time, get one week free!  We also have The Sober Mom Life Community for just $5.95/month - In the Community, you’ll receive access to the exclusive Community social feed (like Facebook, but better!), the exclusive community chat, our monthly book club, and one free weekly meeting.  My mocktail recipe book, ‘No Ethanol Needed’ is finally here! Grab your copy here: https://mykindofsweet.com/2024/01/the-no-ethanol-needed-mocktail-ebook-is-here/ Click here to follow The Sober Mom Life on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices